I wrote: It is wonderful in a way, but why not build a desktop version? Even if it > produces only milliwatts excess, if it can overcome friction and keep going > it will convince everyone. >
Maybe it can't overcome friction? Maybe the gadget resembles a Tokamak, as in: "You can't make a small one work. It's gotta be big." Or to paraphrase the potato chip commercial, "you can't heat just one." You can make a small plasma machine. I don't recall why ITER has to be so big. Is that the only size that can be self-sustaining, with a fully ignited reaction? That is weird. I get that a star has to be big, but why a Tokamak? And why do they make laser fusion gadgets so huge? See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NOVA_laser.jpg Note the person in the middle, looking up at the boxes. Question: What is he thinking? Can anyone supply a punch line? How about: "It is true what they say. These things *do* look like Rossi's 1 MW reactor modules. You don't suppose?!?" - Jed
